Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born in 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. He received an engineering degree and specialized in aeronautical engineering. As project director for India's Space Research Organization (ISRO), he led the development of India's first satellite launch vehicle, which successfully launched India's first satellite into orbit in 1980. He later helped develop India's missile program as chief of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program and was scientific adviser to India's defense minister from 1992 to 1999, during which time he oversaw nuclear weapon tests and progress on developing indigenous defense technologies.